Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA former player Karl Malone before the 2014 NBA All Star Shooting Stars competition at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Karl Malone is the MVP
It was on this day, 16 years ago, that future Hall of Famer and Jazz legend Karl Malone was named the 1999 NBA MVP. It was the second time Malone received the award and perhaps his last, great hurrah as an NBA player.
The lockout-shortened ’99 season was a strange one for the Jazz. The team finished tied with the San Antonio Spurs for the league’s best record at 37-13, but were felled in the second round of the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers. Heaven knows how things might have played out if not for the labor stoppage.
Today In Sports History
— History of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) June 3, 2015
1999 ~ Karl Malone (#Jazz) won his 2nd NBA MVP award pic.twitter.com/sGFDNrbSTf
Despite the team’s shortcomings, the Mailman had a stellar season. On the year, Malone averaged nearly 24 points, more than nine rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest. Would he have rather captured an NBA championship? Absolutely, but his second MVP season remains an amazing accomplishment for the Mailman.
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